Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

trigger-happy

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.22 in modern English

Syllables: trig-ger-hap-py
IPA

24

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

4

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Having a tendency or desire to shoot a firearm irresponsibly before adequately identifying the target.

adj

Inclined to behave recklessly or violently at the slightest provocation.

Example Sentences

"The bystanders were indiscriminately gunned down by trigger-happy gang members."
"Crime is increasing / Trigger happy policing / Panic is spreading / God knows where we're heading"
"Claudine / Don't get trigger happy with me / Don't wave a gun at me"
"Be careful when you work near him; he's trigger-happy with that chain-saw."
"He was so trigger-happy that he wheeled and punched me when I brushed by him in the hall."
"In a country like Burma, where the trigger-happy ruling elite resorted to arms even against unarmed students on university campuses, we have drawn lessons from history. It has taught us to resort to arms when fighting against fully armed demons."

Etymology

From trigger + happy.

Inflected Forms

more trigger-happy (comparative) most trigger-happy (superlative) trigger happy (alternative) triggerhappy (alternative)

Phrases

trigger-happiness

Frequently Paired Words

slaphappy

Synonyms

fierce tearing vehement violent

Questions

What does trigger-happy mean?: Having a tendency or desire to shoot a firearm irresponsibly before adequately identifying the target.
Where does trigger-happy come from?: From trigger + happy.

How to pronounce trigger-happy

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “trigger-happy”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “trigger-happy” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.